Some harsh assessors believe the Mid South East Football League cut-throat first semi final at Nangwarry on Saturday pits the “Great Pretenders” (Kalangadoo) against the “Great Contenders” (Port MacDonnell).


The finals race was thrown open last weekend when “September Specialists” Mount Burr were knocked out due to an inferior percentage.


Some bookies have quoted long odds of the Magpies progressing beyond the first weekend of the major round and believe they are just making up the numbers.


The bookmakers are offering the big numbers and rich pickings as they believe the black and whites cannot achieve a rare hattrick of flags to go with their remarkable three-peats in 1950-52 and 1982-84.


They are telling all that have ears the reigning premiers scraped into the finals on percentage, they lost their opening three games and key players such as Michael Krieger and coach Al Lyon have been troubled by serious injuries.


On the other hand, the pundits are talking up the chances of the Demons of not just winning the first semi but also the preliminary at Kalangadoo and then the big dance at the Kongorong Oval on September 21.


The various know-it-alls believe seaside coach Josh Woodall will lift the Wilf Sprengel Premiership Shield as his Bay Boys have hit peak form at the business end of the season.


Certainly, the raw statistics would support this assertion as they have lowered the colours of the two competition pacesetters.


With Hatherleigh seemingly cruising to its first unbeaten season since joining the MSEFL competition in 1947, Port MacDonnell put them to their sword on their home deck in round 14.


The winning margin on July 27 was a relatively modest 12 points but it was clear-cut.


The Eagles were without league goalkicking trophy winner Paddy Chay but other proven goal scorers in coach Tom Hutchesson, Louis Brown, Sam Telfer and Bradley Mitchell were in their starting 18.


Similarly, second-placed Robe lost to the Demons a week later at the Bay by 14 points.


As with Hatherleigh, Robe’s forwards could not score a double-digit number of goals against the tight Demons defence even though Hamish Smith, coach Nathan Brown and Naracoorte recruit Sam Bates were on the paddock.


I must admit that I had given Port MacDonnell little hope of progressing deep into September given the departing talent over summer.


Wade Chant tried his hand at a high-level suburban competition while Mark Smith and Kevin Thomson returned to Mount Gambier clubs.


As the season progressed, injuries meant Port MacDonnell could not regularly field their three Mail Medallists: Woodall, Tim Sullivan and Will Macdonald.


Between them, the trio could have played a maximum of 48 games over the minor round but their actual number was just 36 appearances.


Thankfully for the Bay Boys, others stepped up and consistently played good footy.


They included Christian Howlett (55 goals), Alex Ridding (36), Colby Munro (13 mentions in the best players) and vice-captain Ned Wilke.


Having written up the chances of the red and blues, there is a significant fly in the ointment for Port MacDonnell.


The most recent clash of the two teams was at the Kalangadoo Oval over two months ago on June 22 when the home team handed out an 87-point drubbing to the visitors.


The Demons had led by 15 points just before half time and then the Magpies took total control.


The stars for the victors included past Mail Medallist Jack Casey, ex-Demon Dylan Bromley (nine goals) and consistent ruckman Robert Hein.


That heavy defeat sparked soul-searching at the Bay and the return of much better form.


VERDICT: Port MacDonnell by 15 points. B Grade Glencoe versus Kalangadoo This curtain raiser starting at 12.15pm should attract plenty of interest as Glencoe is the reigning wooden spooner while Kalangadoo is the reigning premier.


When the Murphies came bottom a year ago, it was the first time any Glencoe senior team had ever received such a doubtful honour.


Kalangadoo won the Reserves flag in 2023 thus killing any chances of Hatherleigh Reserves securing a fifth consecutive premiership.


With a well-balanced side, the maroon and golds have defeated the Magpies in both home and away games but only by the modest margins of 10 and 18 points.


Senior Colts Port MacDonnell versus Nangwarry


Port MacDonnell has some unfinished business from a year ago when it lost the season decider to Robe at the Bay.


Nangwarry has snapped at their heels for much of 2024 and cut the winning margins to only three and two points.


The Saints will be hoping certain events repeat themselves at the end of this season.


They won the Senior Colts flag in 1991 and subsequently went top in A Grade in 1993 for their faithful supporters.


Junior Colts Kalangadoo versus Tantanoola


The first of the three Kalangadoo sides featuring on first semi-final day have to be well in position for the cut-throat game which commences at 9.30am.


The Magpie army will be out in force while the youngest of the Tigers is the only Tantanoola team in the major round.


The black and whites have won both of their 2024 meetings and deserve to start as favourites.